Flax based fence and manufacturing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A flax based fence and manufacturing apparatus for reducing slope erosion and water runoff. The flax based fence and manufacturing apparatus includes a tubular casing filled with a specified density of flax fiber and flax stems forming an elongate and flexible structure. The density and porosity of the elongate structure is determined by the amount and length of flax fiber, flax stems and overall density of the same as positioned within the tubular casing. A receiving tube having a receiver opening receives the desired combination of flax fiber and flax straw which is forced through the receiving tube via an auger into the tubular casing. A plurality of gripping members provide a desired degree of frictional engagement of the tubular casing positioned about the receiving tube thereby allowing adjustment of the overall density of the elongate structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to silt fences and morespecifically it relates to a flax based fence and manufacturingapparatus for reducing slope or water channel erosion, slowing waterrunoff, and capturing and containing silt from water runoff.

[0003] Erosion and water flow control is particularly important in areasthat do not contain adequate vegetation growth due to wildfires,erosion, road construction, excavation and other events. It is importantto immediately reduce and control erosion within bare areas that areexposed without adequate vegetation cover to reduce erosion of fertiletopsoil, for capturing sediment and promoting vegetation growth.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Silt fences have been in use for years. Typically, a silt fenceis comprised of a plurality of stakes supporting a sheet or similarstructure thereby forming a permeable barrier to the passage of water.Another type of silt fence utilized is comprised of a plurality of strawbales (typically square bales) placed end to end with stakes driven intothe ground through or behind the bales to prevent movement of the bales.Another type of silt fence may be formed utilizing sandbags, bundles ofbrush wattles or similar structure.

[0006] The main problem with conventional types of silt fences is thatthey require significant time and labor to install and maintain. Anotherproblem with conventional types of silt fences is that they do not formto the many irregular contours of the land and thereby allow water torapidly flow beneath the barrier. Another problem with convention typesof silt fences is that they often times are not biodegradable and mustbe removed after a period of time. A further problem with conventionaltypes of silt fences is that they do not allow water to be efficiently“filtered” for removing sediment from the water. Another problem withsilt fences is that they are prone to tipping over or becoming torn bythe wind.

[0007] A conventional type of silt barrier is comprised of a tubularnetting filled with rice straw or wheat straw. These types of siltbarriers unfortunately limit for the adjustment of the desiredcombination of density, porosity and flow rate desired by users tocontrol the water flow. Depending upon whether the usage of the siltbarrier (e.g. slope erosion control, excavation, road ditchconstruction, shoreline erosion control, liquid/sediment containment),there are various degrees of density, porosity, flow rate, and usefulservice life desired by the user which are difficult to achieveutilizing rice straw and/or wheat straw within a tubular nettingstructure.

[0008] Examples of patented silt fences which are illustrative of suchprior art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,665; 5,758,868; 5,660,505; and4,756,511. Examples of patented manufacturing apparatus illustrative ofsuch prior art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,519,985 and 5,915,878.

[0009] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose towhich they address, they are not as suitable for reducing slope erosionand water runoff. Conventional silt fences cannot providebiodegradability and the unique water passage qualities for the lengthof time of the present invention.

[0010] In these respects, the flax based fence and manufacturingapparatus according to the present invention substantially departs fromthe conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doingprovides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducingerosion and containing silt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the knowntypes of silt fences now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new flax based fence and manufacturing apparatus constructionwherein the same can be utilized for reducing slope erosion and waterrunoff.

[0012] The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new flax basedfence and manufacturing apparatus that has many of the advantages of thesilt fences mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result ina new flax based fence and manufacturing apparatus which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theprior art silt fences, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0013] The flax plant (Linum Usitatissimum) grows a very strong,lightweight bast fiber around the outside of a stiff and woody typestem. Flax is grown extensively in Europe for the fiber which isutilized within textiles. The outside fiber portion that surrounds thewoody stem of the flax plant distinguishes flax from other plant stemsoften called “straw.” The flax degrades at a slower rate thatconventional straw due to the cellular makeup, thereby resistingbiological and microbial degradation until ultraviolet rays sufficientlyweaken the cross linking bonds. The fine strong fiber and coarse stiffstem of flax are combined to allow for differing ratios of density,porosity and water flow rate.

[0014] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises atubular casing filled with a specified density of flax fiber and flaxstems forming an elongate and flexible structure. The density andporosity of the elongate structure is determined by the ratio of flaxfiber to flax stems and overall density of the same as positioned withinthe tubular casing. A receiving tube having a receiver opening receivesthe desired combination of flax fiber and flax straw which is forcedthrough the receiving tube via an auger into the tubular casing. Aplurality of gripping members provide a desired degree of frictionalengagement of the tubular casing positioned about the receiving tubethereby allowing adjustment of the overall density of the elongatestructure.

[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

[0017] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a flaxbased fence and manufacturing apparatus that will overcome theshortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0018] A second object is to provide a flax based fence andmanufacturing apparatus for reducing slope erosion and water runoff.

[0019] Another object is to provide a flax based fence that forms to thecontours of a slope to breakup the slope length and reduce water runoffvelocity.

[0020] An additional object is to provide a flax based fence thatfacilitates pooling of water runoff thereby allowing settling ofsediment and the like.

[0021] A further object is to provide a flax based fence that reducesthe labor involved for manufacturing and installing a silt barrier.

[0022] Another object is to provide a flax based fence that are able tobe formed to completely surround storm drains, culvert openings and thelike.

[0023] A further object is to provide a flax based fence that may beutilized for shoreline erosion control.

[0024] Another object is to provide a flax based fence that allows forthe adjustment of the density, porosity and water flow rate.

[0025] A further object is to provide a flax based fence that retainsmoisture within and underneath for encouraging rapid seed germination.

[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, thisinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawingsare illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of thepresent invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0029]FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the present invention takenalong line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0032]FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present inventionutilized within a slope.

[0033]FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of the present invention asillustrated in FIG. 4 illustrating the pooling and filtration of water.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a top view of the manufacturing apparatus utilized toform the tubular barrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout the severalviews, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a flax based fence and manufacturingapparatus 10, which comprises a tubular casing 30 filled with aspecified density of flax fiber and flax stems 20 (hereinafter “flaxmixture 20”) forming an elongate and flexible structure. The density andporosity of the elongate structure is determined by the amount of flaxfiber 20, flax stems 20 and overall density of the same as positionedwithin the tubular casing 30. A receiving tube 40 having a receiveropening 42 receives the desired combination of flax fiber and flax straw20 which is forced through the receiving tube 40 via an auger 44 intothe tubular casing 30. A plurality of gripping members 54 provide adesired degree of frictional engagement of the tubular casing 30positioned about the receiving tube 40 thereby allowing adjustment ofthe overall density of the elongate structure. The elongate structuremay be retained in a desired position utilizing stakes 12 or similarsecuring devices.

[0036] The flax plant (Linum Usitatissimum) grows a very strong,lightweight bast fiber around the outside of a stiff and woody typestem. Flax is grown extensively in Europe for the flax fiber which isutilized within textiles. The outside fiber portion that surrounds thewoody stem of the flax plant distinguishes flax from other plant stemsoften called “straw.” The flax degrades at a slower rate thatconventional straw due to the cellular makeup, thereby resistingbiological and microbial degradation until ultraviolet rays sufficientlyweaken the cross linking bonds. The fine strong fiber and coarse stiffstem of flax are combined to allow for differing ratios of density,porosity and water flow rate. Flax straw is a byproduct of theharvesting of flax and other conventional processes. The FLAX COUNCIL OFCANADA provides an informative web site regarding the various usages offlax (www.flaxcouncil.ca). There are various varieties of flax as iswell-known in the art, any of which are suitable for usage within thepresent invention.

[0037] The first step in manufacturing the present invention is toprovide a volume of flax straw in a bale or similar structure. The baleis then cut or “flailed” to separate the flax straw into a looseaccumulation. The flailing process may be performed utilizing varioustypes of machines and tools which are well known in the art. Theflailing of the flax straw causes partial separation of the flax fibersand the flax stem 20. The inventor has found it desirable to remove andloosen only 1 ½ to 3 inches of fiber from the flax stem while allowingone end of the flax shaft to retaining the flax fiber and flax stemattached to one another for increasing structural stability. It can beappreciated that the flax fiber loosened from the flax stem may vary inamounts greater than or less than 1 ½ to 3 inches. The greater theamount of flax fiber removed and loosened from the flax stem and theshorter the stem pieces are, the higher the density will be achievedwithin the elongate structure.

[0038] By combining different rations of the coarse stem portion withthe fine fiber along with overall density control within the tubularcasing 30, various degrees of density, porosity and water flow rates maybe achieved. For example, a higher percentage of the unbroken stiff flaxstem reduces the flexibility and weight of the elongate structure whileincreasing the porosity of the elongate structure. A lower percentage ofthe unbroken stiff flax stem increases the flexibility and weight of theelongate structure while decreasing the porosity of the elongatestructure. A higher percentage of the fine flax fiber increases theflexibility and weight of the elongate structure while decreasing theporosity of the elongate structure. A lower percentage of the fine flaxfiber decreases the flexibility and weight of the elongate structurewhile increasing the porosity of the elongate structure.

[0039] The flax stem portion creates an openness within the elongatestructure to increase water flow and for creating room for sedimentcapture while simultaneously lowering the weight of the elongatestructure for easier handling. The fine flax fiber provides forfiltration of the silt particles from the runoff water. In addition, theflax fiber (and flax stems) absorbs moisture to support the growth ofseeds that have washed into the elongate structure. The flax fibers alsoincrease in strength when wet thereby providing maximum strength when itis needed most.

[0040] The tubular casing 30 may be comprised of various types offlexible materials such as but not limited to mesh, netting, andtextiles. The tubular casing 30 may also have various cross sectionalshapes such as but not limited to circular, square, rectangular andvarious other shapes. It can also be appreciated that the tubular casing30 may have various widths and lengths as are desired by the user. Thedistal ends of the tubular casing 30 may be enclosed by variousconventional securing means and systems as are well known in the art.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, the elongatestructure is comprised of the volume of flax fiber and flax stems 20contained within the tubular casing 30. The elongate structure may bepositioned within various positions to reduce erosion and promotesettling of silt within the runoff water and various other purposeswhich can be appreciated.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the manufacturing apparatusutilize to construct the elongate structure includes a receiving tube 40having a receiver opening 42 that receives the desired combination offlax fiber and flax straw 20 which is forced through the receiving tube40 via an auger 44 into the tubular casing 30. A plurality of grippingmembers 54 provide a desired degree of frictional engagement of thetubular casing 30 positioned about the receiving tube 40 therebyallowing adjustment of the overall density of the elongate structure.

[0043] More specifically as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, thereceiving tube 40 is comprised of an elongate tubular structure. Thereceiving tube 40 includes an auger 44 rotated by a conventional motor46 along with a receiver opening 42 for receiving the flax fiber andflax stems 20. The tubular casing 30 is positioned about the distal openend of the receiving tube 40 as shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of grippingmembers 54 frictionally retain the tubular casing 30 upon the receivingtube 40 thereby requiring a specific amount of force from the input flaxmixture 20 to remove a length of the tubular casing 30 from thereof. Theplurality of gripping members 54 are attached to the distal portions ofa corresponding plurality of arms 52 that are pivotally attached to abracket collar 50 surrounding the distal end of the receiving tube 40. Atension collar 60 surrounds the plurality of arms 52, wherein the arms52 extend outwardly at an angle from the receiving tube 40. The furtheralong the arms 52 the tension collar 60 is positioned, the greater theamount of force will be created between the gripping members 54 and thereceiving tube 40 thereby increasing the overall density of the flaxmixture 20 within the tubular casing 30. The closer tension collar 60 ispositioned with respect to the bracket collar 50 upon the arms 52, thelesser the amount of force will be created between the gripping members54 and the receiving tube 40 thereby decreasing the overall density ofthe flax mixture 20 within the tubular casing 30. The tension collar 60is retained within the desired position along the arms 52 viaconventional adjustable securing means such as a threaded elongatefastener extending from the bracket collar 50 to the tension collar 60or other well known means.

[0044] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operationof the present invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

[0045] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to bewithin the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalentstructural variations and relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

[0046] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A flax based fence, comprising: a tubular casing having afirst end, a second end and a lumen; a volume of flax stems positionedwithin said tubular casing; and a volume of flax fiber positioned withinsaid tubular casing.
 2. The flax based fence of claim 1, wherein saidvolume of flax stems and said volume of flax fiber are mixed together.3. The flax based fence of claim 2, wherein said volume of flax stemsand said volume of fiber are formed into a specific density andporosity.
 4. The flax based fence of claim 3, wherein said volume offlax stems includes a portion of flax fiber attached to one end of saidvolume of flax stems.
 5. The flax based fence of claim 4, wherein saidvolume of flax stems have approximately 1 ½ to 3 inches of flax fiberloosened from an end of said flax stems.
 6. The flax based fence ofclaim 5, wherein said volume of flax stems is greater than said volumeof flax fiber.
 7. A method of manufacturing a flax based fence,comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tubular casing; (b) providing avolume of flax mixture containing flax stems and flax fiber; (c)positioning said volume of flax mixture into said tubular casing at apredetermined density; and (d) enclosing said tubular casing.
 8. Themethod of manufacturing a flax based fence of claim 7, wherein said step(b) includes the step of increasing the volume of said flax stems withrespect to said flax fiber to decrease the weight and increase thestrength and water flow.
 9. The method of manufacturing a flax basedfence of claim 7, wherein said step (b) includes the step of decreasingthe volume of said flax stems with respect to said flax fiber toincrease the weight and filtration and to decrease the water flow. 10.The method of manufacturing a flax based fence of claim 7, wherein saidstep (b) includes the step of increasing the volume of said flax fiberwith respect to said flax stems to increase the weight and decreasewater flow.
 11. The method of manufacturing a flax based fence of claim7, wherein said step (b) includes the step of decreasing the volume ofsaid flax fiber with respect to said flax stems to decrease the weightand increase water flow.
 12. An apparatus for manufacturing a flax basedfence comprised of a tubular casing and a volume of flax mixture,comprising: a receiving tube having an enclosed end and an open end,wherein said tubular casing surrounds said open end for receiving saidvolume of flax mixture; a receiver opening within said receiving tubefor receiving said volume of flax mixture; an auger within saidreceiving tube for forcing said volume of flax mixture toward said openend; and a friction means for adjustably frictionally engaging a portionof said tubular casing positioned upon said receiving tube for adjustingan overall density of said volume of flax mixture within said tubularcasing.
 13. The apparatus for manufacturing a flax based fence of claim12, wherein said friction means is comprised of: a plurality of armspivotally attached to said receiving tube adjacent said receiveropening, wherein said plurality of arms extend outwardly at an anglefrom said receiving tube; a plurality of gripping members each attachedto a distal end of each of said plurality of arms, wherein said grippingmembers are formed for frictionally engaging a portion of said tubularcasing; and a tension collar positioned about said plurality of arms foradjusting a force of said plurality of gripping members upon saidreceiving tube and said tubular casing.